The organisers of the Cairns Chinese New Year festivities say a record 20,000 people turned out in the CBD on Saturday night. (ABC Local: Sharnie Kim)

Nathan Lee Long from the Cairns and District Chinese Association says a section of Grafton Street was closed off to traffic, so markets could be set up and lion dancers could weave through the crowds. (ABC Local: Sharnie Kim)

Mr Lee Long says while some Chinese tourists were there, the vast majority of people who attended, were locals. (ABC Local: Sharnie Kim)

"The majority definitely were the locals and their families enjoying the festivities, there were visitors there in the street but the majority of the crowd were definitely the residents of Cairns," said Mr Lee Long. (ABC Local: Sharnie Kim)

Mr Lee Long says the rain brought by the tropical weather before and after the festival is a sign of good fortune for the region. (ABC Local: Sharnie Kim)

"Rain is actually good luck, a sign of good luck in China so Chinese people are not worried by rain," said Mr Lee Long.